An Open Letter to my Parents

Dear Daddy and Mommy, 
I was recently asked by someone why I thought our family was so close together and why we always had such a strong relationship.  The answer was really a very simple one.  You gave me your TIME. Looking back its not the "things" I remember but the time we spent together.  It was time spent baking billions of little pumpkin loaves to give to friends at church or the guys at daddy's work.  It was time spent in the backyard burning all the discarded Christmas paper and boxes.  It was time spent teaching me how to bake and letting me make a mess in the kitchen.  It was time spent helping me make a bird house.  It was time spent walking through the field looking for wild strawberries.  So thank you for loving me enough to give me your time.  Time that could have been spent doing other "more important" or "more urgent" things was traded in so you could be with me and Bethany.  These are the things I remember.  These are the reasons why I know we have always been so close.  These are the things I want to pass on to your grandchildren.  I am so thankful to have parents who taught me how to truly invest in my kids.  You taught me through your example how to have my children's hearts.  Scot and I want so desperately to have a close relationship with our children.  One that we can build on as they grow older.  Thank you for teaching me the importance of stopping what I am doing and playing a game of chutes and ladders.  Thank you for teaching me to put aside the work that will always be there and read to my children "just one more chapter." Thank you for teaching me by example that people are more important than things.  I pray that one day my own children can look back on a childhood that is filled to over flowing with the sweet memories of time spent with mommy and daddy.  I love you both more than any words can say.